News Nuggets 643

 A climber next to the Klettern Falls in Switzerland.  From the Daily Mail of the UK.

QUOTE-OF-THE-DAY!!
In the UK, the Speaker of the House of Commons introduced Barack Obama in Westminster Hall with the following quote from Abraham Lincoln:

"Nearly all men can stand the test of adversity, but if you really want to test a man's character, give him power."

I think that Bush 43 and his people failed this test, that the the current President is a demonstration of the principle, ... and that the Speaker chose this quote for just these reasons!

Israelis See Netanyahu Trip as Diplomatic Failure from the New York Times
"Palestinians now say, Mr. Netanyahu’s speeches convinced them that they have no negotiating partner. They plan to intensify their United Nations efforts, leaving Israelis worried about increasing international isolation and pressure, especially in light of the popular uprisings across the Arab world."

Where Netanyahu Fails Himself and Israel (Fareed Zakaria) from the Washington Post
"Conventional wisdom is fast congealing in Washington that President Obama was wrong to demarcate a shift in American policy toward Israel last week. In fact, it was Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu who broke with the past — in one of a series of diversions and obstacles Netanyahu has come up with anytime he is pressed. He wins in the short run, but ultimately, he is turning himself into a version of Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, “Mr. Nyet,” a man who will be bypassed by history."

'Netanyahu Had His Triumph, But Israel Will Pay' from Der Spiegel [of Germany in English]
"In a speech before the US Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected President Barack Obama's call for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Netanyahu's move may be popular at home, but it was disastrous for the Middle East peace process, argue German commentators."

Cutting Iran Down to Size (Afshin Molavi) from the National Interest
"British diplomats posted in Iran, often frustrated by the stifling nature of the political environment and their inability to achieve their aims, would often marvel at their reputation. As one British diplomat told me: “I only wish half of it were true. Life would be much easier for us.” But dig further and there is a grudging respect inherent in the accusation: Ah, those clever British, the undercurrent of the narrative goes, they may be constantly exploiting us, but they understand Iran better than anyone."

Have Democrats Cracked the Code for 2012? from Politico
"The battle over the federal deficit hasn’t flipped in favor of the Democrats. The GOP isn’t suddenly at grave risk of losing its House majority. But after two years of getting pummeled over spending and the size of government, Democrats now appear to have found a political weapon that’s capable of evening out the fight: Medicare."

Top Republican Promises Wall Street that GOP is Bluffing on Debt Limit (Jed Lewison) from Daily Kos
"Dave Camp, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is telling Wall Street that the GOP is bluffing on its threats to force the United States into default on its obligations and that plans to vote against raising the debt limit are designed to pander to teahadists."

Paul Ryan: 2012’s Goldwater? (David Frum) from the FrumForum
"Now we’re likely headed to the worst of all possible worlds. The GOP will run on a platform crafted to be maximally obnoxious to downscale voters. ... What does the GOP have to say to hard-pressed voters? Thus far the answer is: we offer Medicare cuts, Medicaid cuts, and tighter money aimed at raising the external value of the dollar. No candidate, not even if he or she is born in a log cabin, would be able to sell that message to America’s working class."
CHECK OUT the findings of the GOP pollster Frum cites in this article!

The GOP’s Cast of Clowns (Markos Moulitsas) from The Hill
"[Pawlenty] actually attempting to be the Bob Dole of 2012 in a year in which nearly all serious Republicans have decided they have better things to do than lose to President Obama. So rather than a high-caliber presidential field, the Republicans have put together a cavalcade of clowns."

Speaking of clowns:
Signs Grow That Palin May Run After All from the New York Times
"Former Gov. Sarah Palin is fortifying her small staff of advisers, buying a house in Arizona — where associates have said she could base a national campaign — and reviving her schedule of public appearances. The moves are the most concrete signals yet that Ms. Palin is seriously weighing a Republican presidential bid."

Walker's Numbers Continue to Get Worse from Public Policy Polling
"Scott Walker's popularity has continued to decline over the last three months and Wisconsin voters now say they would vote to recall him if there was an election today. They also say they would pick either Russ Feingold or Tom Barrett over Walker in a head to head match up."

What Does NY-26 Mean? from Taegan Goddard's Political Wire
You can find here a broad range of pundit reaction to the NY-26 House race.

Michelle Obama Catches Up with North London Schoolgirls at Oxford University from the Guardian [of the UK]
"Two years after she met them at an Islington school where 54% get free meals, the first lady urges children to aim high"

PUBLIC POLICY NUGGET!!
Sex Trafficking of Americans: The Girls Next Door from Vanity Fair
"Sex trafficking is not something that only happens to foreigners—in America, more than 100,000 girls, some as young as eight, are caught up in the sex trade every year. Amy Fine Collins reports."

OBITUARY NUGGET!!
Mars Rover Down: Spirit is Dead from Discover News
"After getting stuck in a sand trap nicknamed "Troy" in Gusev crater in Apr. 2009, NASA admitted defeat at trying to free the six-year old Spirit in Jan. 2010 -- Spirit (and sister rover Opportunity) only had a mission profile lasting three months."
From three months -- to six years!  What an amazing little unit!!